Analysis of 5 major problems with Linux

One of the biggest challenges for Linux users remains poor documentation. While Linux can typically be installed and run smoothly under normal conditions, some users still face significant difficulties. As we approach the end of 2017, what are the most pressing issues that continue to affect the Linux experience?

First and foremost, the lack of comprehensive and up-to-date documentation is a major pain point. Despite the wealth of excellent open-source code available, high-quality documentation often lags behind. This issue has become even more urgent as more non-technical users begin to adopt Linux and open-source software. The demand for stability and usability has never been higher. I strongly encourage anyone contributing to open source to consider improving documentation as a valuable way to help Others. Many projects store their documentation in the same repositories as their code, so you can always find the latest version as it evolves.

Another recurring problem is software and library version incompatibility. This is especially true when using less mainstream distributions. Although I haven't personally faced this issue much, solutions like AppImage, Flatpak, and Snap are becoming more common, and I believe they will play an even bigger role in the future.

UEFI and secure boot issues remain a concern for many users, despite improvements in hardware support. Some users still encounter problems during installation or booting. The best solution is to use a distribution that fully supports UEFI and secure boot out of the box.

The abandonment of 32-bit support is another area of frustration. While 32-bit systems are still used by some, many distributions and software projects are moving away from them. However, as long as there is community interest, there will likely still be options available for those who need them.

Lastly, X forwarding and its declining support is a growing concern. While experienced users have relied on X forwarding for years, newer applications and the shift toward Wayland are making this feature less supported and tested. This trend could worsen in the coming years.

Looking back at last year's issues, many of the same problems persist—especially with video acceleration, graphics drivers, power management, Bluetooth, and WiFi or printer support. However, these issues are significantly better than they were before. Still, there’s room for improvement.

Linux has made great progress this year, but real, widespread improvements take time. While we’ve seen some positive changes, we must still acknowledge the remaining challenges. For many users, the journey continues, but the future looks promising.